Italian Parliament Passes Albania Decree Into Law, Raising Concerns for Illegal People without Papers

Italy will now be allowed to deport illegal migrants to Albania. The Senate in Rome voted on Tuesday 20 May to convert the so-called Albania decree into law. This will give the migration centres in Albania a new role: they will be transformed into ‘return facilities’, Rai News reports.

Italian Parliament Passes Albania Decree into Law, Raising Concerns for Illegal people without papers

Italy’s parliament via a confidence vote on May 21, 2025, enacted the Albania Decree enabling Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government to use two Albanian centers in Shengjin and Gjader as repatriation hubs for migrants. Including those already in Italy with rejected asylum claims. Giorgia Meloni (Photo: @Linfo24_7 / X) The law rooted in a 2023 Rome-Tirana agreement, aims to deter illegal sea arrivals and fast-track deportations. Democratic Pa…

MEP Mélissa Camara was recently able to visit the migrant centre set up by the Italian government in Albania. She describes what is more like a detention centre. About 40 migrants awaiting deportation are detained there without knowing when they will be able to return to their freedom.